Meeting documents

SSDC Area South Committee
Wednesday, 6th June, 2018 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset

Contact: Jo Boucher, Case Services Officer (Support Services) - 01935 462011  Email: jo.boucher@southsomerset.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

5.

Minutes of previous meeting

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 2nd May 2018 and 17th May 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Area South Committee held on 2nd May 2018 and 17th May 2018 copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

6.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cathy Bakewell, Peter Gubbins, Kaysar Hussain, Sarah Lindsay, Mike Lock and Alan Smith.

7.

Declarations of Interest

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting. 

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  Where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council. 

Planning Applications Referred to the District Council’s Regulation Committee

The following members of this Committee are also members of the Council's Regulation Committee:

Councillors Peter Gubbins, Mike Lock, Tony Lock and David Recardo.

Where planning applications are referred by this Committee to the Regulation Committee for determination, Members of the Regulation Committee can participate and vote on these items at the Area Committee and at Regulation Committee. In these cases the Council's decision-making process is not complete until the application is determined by the Regulation Committee.  Members of the Regulation Committee retain an open mind and will not finalise their position until the Regulation Committee.  They will also consider the matter at Regulation Committee as Members of that Committee and not as representatives of the Area Committee.

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest.

8.

Public question time

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

9.

Chairman's announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman informed members that a workshop will be held after the 4th July 2018 Area South Committee to identify the area priorities for the new Area Plans.  He asked that members please attend.

10.

Reports from representatives on outside organisations

This is an opportunity for Members who represent the Council on outside organisations to report items of interest to the Committee.

Minutes:

Councillor John Clark reported that the Westfield Community Association funds for the Community Hall had now exceeded £759,000 and that the design would be complete by 4th July 2018.

11.

Community Safety - Yeovil One Update pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Minutes:

The Area South Development Lead presented the report as detailed in the agenda and explained that progress had plateaued since the Co-ordinator had left the authority.  She said a new appointment had now been made for a 12 month secondment and was hopeful that person would start within the next couple of weeks. 

 

She explained the work undertaken by the Yeovil One Tactical Group and the possibility of dealing with anti-social behaviour through the use of Civil Injunctions and also the drafting of proposed extensions to the Public Space Protection Orders currently in place in Yeovil.  She confirmed members would be informed of any changes to these orders.

 

In response to members’ questions, she confirmed that:

 

·         The Yeovil One Tactical Group have extended the area of boundaries to cover other areas of Yeovil in addition to Yeovil Central. 

·         Noted the invitation proposed by Councillor David Recardo to invite the new Chief Inspector of Yeovil Sharon Bennett and Tim Coombe from Avon and Somerset Police Authority to attend committee in the Autumn to give an opportunity to share information and to see how they see her role develop.

 

Members thanked the Area South Development Lead and noted the report.

 

NOTED

12.

Appointment of Working Groups & Outside Bodies (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 215 KB

Decision:

The Committee agreed the appointment of members to serve on the various working groups, panels and outside bodies for 2018/19.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.   that members be appointed to serve on those groups and panels for the municipal year 2018/19 as follows:

 

2.   that appointments be made to outside bodies as follows:

 

 

Reason:

To appoint members to working groups and outside bodies.           

 

 

Area South Panels and Working Groups

Representation 2018/2019

 

 

Area South Community Forum

 

Tony Lock

Peter Gubbins

 

Yeovil Town Centre Enhancement Group

Mike Lock

John Clark

Tony Lock

David Recardo

Wes Read

Sarah Lindsay

Andy Kendall

Peter Gubbins

 

Yeovil Youth Service Review Group

 

 

Yeovil Market Improvement Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birchfield Group

 

Cathy Bakewell

Rob Stickland

 

David Recardo

Cathy Bakewell

Mike Lock

Sarah Lindsay

 

 

 

Yeovil East and Yeovil Without Ward Members

 

Outside Bodies

 

Representation 2018/2019

 

Abbey Community Association

Alan Smith

 

John Nowes Exhibition Foundation

Peter Seib

 

South Somerset MIND

Andy Kendall

 

Wyndham Trust (Yeovil)

Peter Seib

 

Yeovil Crematorium and Cemetery Joint Committee

Graham Oakes

Rob Stickland

Vacancy

 

Yeovil in Bloom Gardeners Market Steering Group

 

Wes Read

 

Yeovil One

Tony Lock

Yeovil Sports Club Board of Management

Andy Kendall

 

 

Preston School Strategic Management Group

 

Yeovil Vision Board

 

David Recardo

Wes Read

 

Peter Gubbins

David Recardo

One further Councillor, to be invited at the Chairman’s discretion when required

 

Westfield Community Association

John Clark

 

(Resolution passed without dissent)

 

Minutes:

The Committee agreed the appointment of members to serve on the various working groups, panels and outside bodies for 2018/19.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.   that members be appointed to serve on those groups and panels for the municipal year 2018/19 as follows:

 

2.   that appointments be made to outside bodies as follows:

 

 

Reason:

To appoint members to working groups and outside bodies.           

 

 

Area South Panels and Working Groups

Representation 2018/2019

 

 

Area South Community Forum

 

Tony Lock

Peter Gubbins

 

Yeovil Town Centre Enhancement Group

Mike Lock

John Clark

Tony Lock

David Recardo

Wes Read

Sarah Lindsay

Andy Kendall

Peter Gubbins

 

Yeovil Youth Service Review Group

 

 

Yeovil Market Improvement Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birchfield Group

 

Cathy Bakewell

Rob Stickland

 

David Recardo

Cathy Bakewell

Mike Lock

Sarah Lindsay

 

 

 

Yeovil East and Yeovil Without Ward Members

 

Outside Bodies

 

Representation 2018/2019

 

Abbey Community Association

Alan Smith

 

John Nowes Exhibition Foundation

Peter Seib

 

South Somerset MIND

Andy Kendall

 

Wyndham Trust (Yeovil)

Peter Seib

 

Yeovil Crematorium and Cemetery Joint Committee

Graham Oakes

Rob Stickland

Vacancy

 

Yeovil in Bloom Gardeners Market Steering Group

 

Wes Read

 

Yeovil One

Tony Lock

Yeovil Sports Club Board of Management

Andy Kendall

 

 

Preston School Strategic Management Group

 

Yeovil Vision Board

 

David Recardo

Wes Read

 

Peter Gubbins

David Recardo

One further Councillor, to be invited at the Chairman’s discretion when required

 

Westfield Community Association

John Clark

 

(Resolution passed without dissent)

 

13.

Scheme of Delegation - Development Control - Nomination of Substitutes for Chairman & Vice Chair (Executive Decision) pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Decision:

RESOLVED:

that, in line with the Development Control Revised Scheme of Delegation, Councillors Peter Seib as first substitute and Tony Lock as second substitute be nominated to act as substitutes for the Chairman and Vice Chairman to make decisions in the Chairman’s and Vice Chairman’s absence on whether an application should be considered by the Area Committee as requested by the Ward Member(s). 

Reason:

To appoint members to act as substitutes for the Chairman and Vice Chairman for the planning scheme of delegation

 

(Resolution passed without dissent

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

that, in line with the Development Control Revised Scheme of Delegation, Councillors Peter Seib as first substitute and Tony Lock as second substitute be nominated to act as substitutes for the Chairman and Vice Chairman to make decisions in the Chairman’s and Vice Chairman’s absence on whether an application should be considered by the Area Committee as requested by the Ward Member(s). 

Reason:

To appoint members to act as substitutes for the Chairman and Vice Chairman for the planning scheme of delegation

 

(Resolution passed without dissent

 

14.

Area South Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Minutes:

Councillor David Recardo reiterated his request to invite the new Chief Inspector of Yeovil Sharon Bennett and Tim Coombe from Avon and Somerset Police Authority to attend committee in the Autumn.

 

Councillor Peter Seib requested that the Yeovil Refresh work with the Economic Development Team to ensure delivery and aspirations of the Yeovil Refresh are met.  Following a short discussion it was agreed that the Regeneration Programme Manager be invited to the Area Priorities Workshop in July.   

 

RESOLVED:

(1)

that the Area South Forward Plan and the comments of Members be noted.

 

(2)

that the reports identified by Members be added to the Area South Forward Plan.

 

(Voting: Without dissent)

 

15.

Schedule of Planning Applications to be Determined by Committee pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Minutes:

Members noted the Schedule of Planning Applications.

16.

Planning Application 18/00116/FUL - Land adjacent Hillview, Yeovil Marsh Road, Yeovil Without pdf icon PDF 703 KB

Minutes:

The Area Lead Planner presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a powerpoint presentation showed the site and proposed plans.  She noted the application has been two starred for reasons explained at the beginning of the report and also updated members that:

 

·         Three additional letters of objection had been received reiterating objections already outlined in report and concerns regarding visibility access, internet speed, hedgerow removal and definition of a caravan.

 

The Area Lead Planner referred to the key considerations being the principle of the development, landscape impact, flooding, highways and amenity.  She considered the site was within a sustainable location with well-defined boundaries and explained the Local Flood Authority had raised no objections to the proposal and was satisfied the imposition of a condition to impose an acceptable surface water drainage scheme. 

 

She acknowledged the concern regarding the access of the site but noted the Highway Authority raised no objection and believed the proposal would not generate a significant increase in traffic movements at the site.  She also considered that the proposed units were single storey and given the distance and proposed boundary treatments did not consider the proposal would have a significant impact on the neighbouring properties.

 

The Area Lead Planner therefore concluded that after considering all of the responses and issues, as outlined in the agenda report, her proposal was to approve the application and the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

 

In response to members’ questions the Area Lead Planner and Senior Planning Adviser confirmed that:

 

·         Under this proposal all hedgerows were to be maintained.

·         As the Council cannot currently demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply it is considered that the current policies can only be given a modest amount of weight.

·         Clarified that no response had been received from the Emergency Services regarding the emergency access at Orchard Close.

·         Acknowledged the concerns of the local residents but believed there was a need to provide these types of homes which would predominately be occupied by the 50 plus age group of the community. 

·         Acknowledged members concerns regarding the emergency access at Orchard Close and that a revision could be made to Condition 8 to safeguard unauthorised access of the site. As part of this condition the Council would expect and seek a reply from the emergency services with their requirements.

·         A condition has been included to ensure that no more than 14 units shall be placed on the land.  Should the applicant wish to amend this figure a further application would need to be submitted for approval.

·         Proposed units are double twinned and would be delivered in two halves.  All 14 units have dedicated parking areas.

 

A representative from Yeovil Without Parish Council then addressed the committee.  She noted that the village of Yeovil Marsh had limited community facilities, there to be no evidence of identified housing need and a lack of community engagement and local public consultation.  She also referred to the importance of Policy SS2 of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Planning Application 18/00866/FUL - Yeovil Crematorium, Bunford Lane, Yeovil pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

The Area Lead Planner presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point gave a presentation showing the site and proposed plans.  She explained the application was referred to committee due to the nature of the proposals and SSDC being the applicant. 

 

She updated members that a further letter of objection had been received emphasising concern regarding the number of proposed parking spaces and the requirement of habitat and tree surveys.  They also questioned the compliance of the conditions of permission regarding the new service road and that the Council were currently looking into this to ensure proper compliance.

 

The Area Lead Planner also informed members that all mature trees and planting would be retained as part of the proposal with the exception of a limited number of small trees which were to be removed.  She confirmed the SSDC Tree officer had raised no objection to this proposal and considered the proposal would have no severe impact on visual or residential amenity of the area and was positioned in an appropriate location.

 

She also recommended that a lighting condition be imposed to control the hours of lighting to comply with the opening hours of the Crematorium and that there was justification for additional parking with no additional traffic movements to and from the site.

 

The Area Lead Planner therefore concluded that for the reasons as previously outlined, her proposal was to approve the application and the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

 

Councillor Peter Seib, Ward member acknowledged the neighbouring residents concerns and mourners to the crematorium who value this large tranquil area of the site.  However he believed the need for this overflow car park was extremely justified and would therefore support this application.

 

Following a short discussion, members sought clarification regarding the mitigation of lighting on the site and the safeguarding of unauthorised access to the overflow car park.

 

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That application 18/00866/FUL be approved for the following reasons:

 

01.       The proposal will provide additional parking to meet current needs, is not considered to result in demonstrable harm to residential or visual amenity and the impact upon existing planting is deemed to be acceptable. Accordingly, the proposal is considered to comply with policies SD1, SS1, TA5, EQ2, EQ4 and EQ5 of the Local Plan and is as such recommended for approval.

 

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

 

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

           

            Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Location Plan 1:1250; Drawing No.'s 1379-10 and AS/114-02

           

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.